Cowen refuses to comment on UK nuclear power stations

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has refused to comment on Britain's plans to expand nuclear power stations.

Yesterday the British Government announced a major nuclear expansion, including the location of seven plants on the West coast of England and Wales.

The Irish Government has long fought the issue of the Sellafield plant.

When questioned in the Dáil this afternoon, Brian Cowen said there won't be an opportunity to raise concerns at a British-Irish Council meeting this week, because the agenda for that meeting was set weeks ago.

The Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has criticised the Taoiseach for failing to raise concerns about the plans saying the Government should do so at the highest level.